Does the Early Bird Get the Results? A Few Reasons to Consider Exercising in the Morning
To some, mornings suck. Waking up and working out first thing seems like a faraway dream that isn’t worth the effort in the end. Not true! If you aren’t a natural morning person, going without hitting snooze at least once can feel like a huge accomplishment in and of its own. That’s step one. Keep going, let’s get you up, moving, and sweating in the mornings.
While exercising in the evening is better than not exercising at all, here are a few reasons why the early bird truly does get the worm when it comes to reaching your health goals.
Feel the Early Burn
If you’re an avid follower of intermittent fasting weight loss, then you'll know how effective fasting for set periods can be at boosting your metabolism and kicking your body into fat-burning mode. When you exercise in the morning as opposed to in the evenings, you can shift that process into high gear first thing in the a.m.—one study even found that if you exercise on an empty stomach as opposed to a full one, you can burn up to 20% more fat.
The Hardest Thing First
For many of us, especially those still new to the fitness world, getting into the gym or onto the running trail is a challenge on its own—let alone the grueling workout. Fortunately, it does get easier over time as most fitness junkies will tell you. For now, starting your day with exercise is a lot like getting the hardest thing on your to-do list done first. It creates a sort of momentum that can propel you through the rest of the day. If you can wake up and run a mile before having your first cup of coffee, the rest of the day is bound to be a piece of cake after that.
Build Consistency
Along with getting to the gym in the first place, building the habit and hitting the gym most days or on a consistent schedule is a challenge for many of us. The worst part is it’s not like we purposely decide to stay home—life just gets in the way. When you exercise after work, while you seemingly have the chance to dedicate more time to the workout, when errands pop up, work assignments pile up, or you are just wiped out after a long day, it’s easy to find an excuse to skip it.
But when you exercise in the morning, you typically don't have to worry about doing anything else. And if you can manage to wake up early, you won't be late for work either. Doing this helps to build consistency with your weight loss exercise program, and you have a chance to relax your mind post-workout before a big day.
It's Fun to Flex on the 'Gram
Finally, although there isn’t a specific health benefit to this reason, waking up early and hitting the gym or going for a run isn’t something that everyone does, so it comes with an extra dose of pride for being one of the few. You deserve a celebration and some bragging rights, so flex for the 'Gram with a selfie after your workout. Don't overdo it and spam everyone's feeds, but a post here and there will have your friends cheering you on.
About 131 Method
It’s not you—it’s your diet. If you’re tired of feeling forced into a one-size-fits-all box, then the 131 Method is for you. Rather than being a crash or fad diet, the 131 Method is the “anti-diet” that guides you toward a maintainable, healthy lifestyle. It won’t cramp your style or make you compromise on the foods you enjoy and the exercise that you love to do. Creator and celebrity fitness trainer Chalene Johnson set out to craft a 12-week program that goes beyond the numbers on the scale and will help you improve your gut health, speed up your metabolism, and make healthy choices. The proven approach behind the 131 Method features three distinct stages where you’ll phase in a series of different methods, try varied types of foods, and experiment to find what works best for your body in a fully custom weight loss meal plan. As a member, you’ll also have support from registered dietitians, doctors, and a full online community of fellow 131 Method users.
Learn more about the 131 Method’s unique approach at 131method.com
While exercising in the evening is better than not exercising at all, here are a few reasons why the early bird truly does get the worm when it comes to reaching your health goals.
Feel the Early Burn
If you’re an avid follower of intermittent fasting weight loss, then you'll know how effective fasting for set periods can be at boosting your metabolism and kicking your body into fat-burning mode. When you exercise in the morning as opposed to in the evenings, you can shift that process into high gear first thing in the a.m.—one study even found that if you exercise on an empty stomach as opposed to a full one, you can burn up to 20% more fat.
The Hardest Thing First
For many of us, especially those still new to the fitness world, getting into the gym or onto the running trail is a challenge on its own—let alone the grueling workout. Fortunately, it does get easier over time as most fitness junkies will tell you. For now, starting your day with exercise is a lot like getting the hardest thing on your to-do list done first. It creates a sort of momentum that can propel you through the rest of the day. If you can wake up and run a mile before having your first cup of coffee, the rest of the day is bound to be a piece of cake after that.
Build Consistency
Along with getting to the gym in the first place, building the habit and hitting the gym most days or on a consistent schedule is a challenge for many of us. The worst part is it’s not like we purposely decide to stay home—life just gets in the way. When you exercise after work, while you seemingly have the chance to dedicate more time to the workout, when errands pop up, work assignments pile up, or you are just wiped out after a long day, it’s easy to find an excuse to skip it.
But when you exercise in the morning, you typically don't have to worry about doing anything else. And if you can manage to wake up early, you won't be late for work either. Doing this helps to build consistency with your weight loss exercise program, and you have a chance to relax your mind post-workout before a big day.
It's Fun to Flex on the 'Gram
Finally, although there isn’t a specific health benefit to this reason, waking up early and hitting the gym or going for a run isn’t something that everyone does, so it comes with an extra dose of pride for being one of the few. You deserve a celebration and some bragging rights, so flex for the 'Gram with a selfie after your workout. Don't overdo it and spam everyone's feeds, but a post here and there will have your friends cheering you on.
About 131 Method
It’s not you—it’s your diet. If you’re tired of feeling forced into a one-size-fits-all box, then the 131 Method is for you. Rather than being a crash or fad diet, the 131 Method is the “anti-diet” that guides you toward a maintainable, healthy lifestyle. It won’t cramp your style or make you compromise on the foods you enjoy and the exercise that you love to do. Creator and celebrity fitness trainer Chalene Johnson set out to craft a 12-week program that goes beyond the numbers on the scale and will help you improve your gut health, speed up your metabolism, and make healthy choices. The proven approach behind the 131 Method features three distinct stages where you’ll phase in a series of different methods, try varied types of foods, and experiment to find what works best for your body in a fully custom weight loss meal plan. As a member, you’ll also have support from registered dietitians, doctors, and a full online community of fellow 131 Method users.
Learn more about the 131 Method’s unique approach at 131method.com
Comments
Post a Comment